Shrub rose plant named ‘AUSraveloe’

ABSTRACT

A variety of rose plant of the shrub class, named ‘AUSraveloe’. The ‘AUSraveloe’ is a variety of a very healthy medium sized rose shrub showing arching growth with glossy dark green foliage producing soft mid-pink color, with medium-large sized cupped blooms held on red stems, with a relaxed petal formation set around a button-eye, and having a medium-strong Old Rose fragrance with accents of lemon, banana and apricot.

Classification: The present invention relates to a new Rosa hybridashrub of the market class ‘English Rose’.

Variety denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination‘AUSraveloe’.

ORIGIN OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of shrub rose plantnamed ‘AUSraveloe’, which was originated from the cross-pollination ofthe two ‘unnamed’ and unpatented seedlings of Rosa hybrida.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a very healthymedium sized rose shrub showing arching growth with glossy dark greenfoliage producing soft mid-pink color, with medium-large sized cuppedblooms held on red stems, with a relaxed petal formation set around abutton-eye, and having a medium-strong Old Rose fragrance with accentsof lemon, banana and apricot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from otherspresently available and commercial rose cultivars known to the inventoris the following combination of characteristics: repeat flowering softmid-pink blooms with medium-large sized cupped blooms, reddish coloredflowering stems and dark colored foliage, and having a medium-strong OldRose fragrance.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by budding as performed inAlbrighton, Britain shows that the foregoing and other distinguishingcharacteristics come true to form and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding asexual propagations. ‘AUSraveloe’ may be asexuallypropagated by budding. The budding successfully occurred on anunpatented plant/rootstock Rosa dumetorum ‘Laxa’ for the observedplants.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The maternal and paternal parents of ‘AUSraveloe’ are two unnamedseedlings. The new rose may be distinguished from its seed parent, bythe following combination of characteristics: the seed parent is palerin color and has larger, deeply cupped petals with fewer petals comparedto the flowers of ‘AUSraveloe’. The new rose may be distinguished fromits pollen parent, by the following combination of characteristics: thepollen parent also has larger, deeply cupped flowers with a more apricotpink color, and is less disease resistant compared to ‘AUSraveloe’.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

The closest commercially available cultivar to the new variety is‘AUSmixture’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,365). While both blooms arepredominantly pink in color ‘AUSmixture’ has a color of RHS 62B whereas‘AUSraveloe’ is predominantly RHS 69A. ‘AUSmixture’ also has fewerpetals when compared to ‘AUSraveloe’. In addition, the flowering stemsof ‘AUSmixture’ are predominantly green in color whereas the stems of‘AUSraveloe’ are predominantly red in color. ‘AUSmixture’ also exhibitsa fruity fragrance whereas ‘AUSraveloe’ has an Old Rose fragrance.Finally, ‘AUSmixture’ has fewer thorns when compared to ‘AUSraveloe’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new variety and shows theflowering thereof from bud to full bloom depicted in color as nearlycorrect as it is possible to make in a color illustration of thecharacter. Throughout this specification, color references and/or valuesare based upon the Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society(2001) except where common terms of color definition are employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Observations of budded ‘AUSimage’ specimens were made at a nursery inAlbrighton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. The following description isof 2 year-old rose plants of the new variety grown in a gardenenvironment in Albrighton, Britain in the month of July. Phenotypicexpression may vary with environmental, cultural and climaticconditions, as well as differences in conditions of light and soil.

FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Blooming habit: Recurrent. The number of blooms per plant during the    growing season is profuse, but there are too many to count.-   Bud:    -   -   Size.—About 1.8 cm long and 1.6 cm in diameter when the            petals start to unfurl.        -   Form.—The bud form is pointed ovoid.        -   Color.—When sepals first divide, the bud color is            predominantly RHS 145B (yellow-green group) with flashes of            RHS 186A (grayed-purple group) at the edges of the petals.            When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are RHS 73B            (red-purple group), and the lower sides of the petals RHS            73B (red-purple group).        -   Calyx.—Shape: star shape, with the sepals folding back            against the stems. Length: 4.5 cm. Diameter: 4.5 cm.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Regularly arranged. Color: Upper            Surface: RHS 139D (green group). Lower Surface: RHS 143C            (green group) with RHS 184D (grayed-purple group). Length:            2 cm. Width: 0.9 cm. Shape: Lanceolate. Surface texture:            Upper Surface: Hairy. Lower Surface: Downy. Number: There            are 3 lightly appendaged sepals, and 2 unappendaged sepals            with hairy edges.        -   Receptacles.—Color: RHS 143C (green group). Shape: Pitcher            shaped. Size: Medium, about 1.0 cm long×0.6 cm wide.            Surface: Smooth.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Short, averaging about 5.5 cm. Surface:            Smooth. Color: RHS 184B (grayed-purple group) with RHS 144B            (yellow-green group) on the front side and RHS 144B            (yellow-green group) on the reverse side. Strength: Strong.-   Blooms:    -   -   Size.—Large, average open diameter is about 8.75 cm.        -   Borne.—Several together in clusters of 4-14 with blooms            having a pyramidal shape.        -   Stems.—Strength: Strong, average length is about 4.5 cm.            Diameter: 0.6 cm.        -   Form.—When first open, bloom is cupped. Permanence of bloom:            outer petal edges curl back.        -   Flower type.—Double.-   Petalage: Number of petals under normal conditions: approximately    100.    -   -   Color.—The upper sides of the petals are RHS 69D (red-purple            group). The reverse sides of the petals are RHS 73B            (red-purple group) on the top and RHS 73D (red-purple group)            in the middle. The base of the petals has a medium sized            basal spot that are RHS 3D (yellow group).        -   Variegations.—None.        -   Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first            day is RHS 69A (red-purple group), and at the end of the            third day is RHS 69C (red-purple group).        -   Fragrance.—Moderate to strong. Character of fragrance: Old            Rose.-   Petals:    -   -   Texture.—Velvety.        -   Size.—Width: 1.7 cm.        -   Length.—3 cm.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Margin.—Mostly entire. Approximately 20% exhibit a central            notch at the apex.        -   Apex shape.—Obtuse.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Form.—Incurved.        -   Arrangement.—Quartered.        -   Petaloids.—Number: 0-10. Color: RHS 69A (red-purple group).            Length: 1-1.5 cm. Width: 0.5-1 cm. Shape: Obovate. Margin:            Entire.        -   Persistence.—Petals drop off cleanly before drying.        -   Lastingness.—On the plant: Fair about 4-7 days. As a cut            flower: not tested.-   Reproductive parts:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 10-15. Length: approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Anthers.—Length: approximately 0.15 cm. Color: RHS 13C            (yellow group). Arrangement: Mixed with petaloids.        -   Filaments.—Color: RHS 12A (yellow group). Length:            approximately 0.3-0.4 cm.        -   Pollen.—Color: RHS 3A (yellow group). Amount: Scarce.        -   Pistils.—Number: approximately 20-25. Length: approximately            0.7 cm.        -   Styles.—Color: RHS 151C (yellow-green group). Length:            approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Stigmas.—Color: RHS 184C (grayed-purple group). Length:            approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Hips.—NONE Observed.

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

-   Plant form: Shrub.-   Plant growth: Vigorous.-   Age to maturity: 2 years.-   Mature plant: Height: 110 cm. Width: 140 cm.-   Rootstock: Rosa dumetorum ‘Laxa’ for the observed plants in the    United Kingdom.-   Foliage:    -   -   Number.—Leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves is: 5 with            instances of 7 (including terminal leaflet).        -   Size.—Medium, about 15 cm long×10 cm wide.        -   Quantity.—Normal. Number of leaves per flowering stem is:            approx. 5.        -   Color.—New foliage: Upper side: RHS 146A (yellow-green            group) with flashes of RHS 60A (red-purple group) at the            edge. Lower side: RHS 59A (red-purple group) with touches of            RHS 143B (green group) on the veins. Old foliage: Upper            side: RHS 137A (green group). Lower side: RHS 146A            (yellow-green group).-   Leaflets:    -   -   Size.—About 6 cm long×3.3 cm wide.        -   Shape.—Pointed oval.        -   Base shape.—Cordate.        -   Apex shape.—Acuminate.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Glossiness.—Glossy.        -   Edge.—Serrated.        -   Serrations.—Double towards the center of the leaflet and            single towards the base and apex.        -   Petiole.—Color: RHS 71A (red-purple group) on top side with            RHS 146C (yellow-green group) on the underside. Length:            2-3 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Surface Texture: Glandular.        -   Petiole rachis.—Color: RHS 59A (red-purple group) on the top            side with RHS 146C (yellow-green group) on the underside.            Underside: with prickles.        -   Stipules.—Length: 2.5 cm, serrated. Color: RHS 146A            (yellow-green group) with a tint of RHS 61A (red-purple            group) towards the petiole.        -   Auricle.—Shape: Lanceolate. Length: 0.6 cm Width: 0.2 cm.            Color: RHS 146A (yellow-green group).        -   Vein color.—Central vein: RHS 64A (red-purple group). Other            veins: RHS 137A (green group).        -   Venation pattern.—Reticulate.-   Wood:    -   -   New wood.—Color: RHS 183A (grayed-purple group). Bark:            Smooth.        -   Old wood.—Color: RHS 184A (grayed-purple group) on the top            half of the wood, fading to RHS 145A (yellow-green group)            towards the main stems. Bark: Smooth.-   Branching habit:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 3 per main stem.        -   Dimensions.—Length: 60 cm Diameter: 0.8 cm.-   Stems:    -   -   Mature stem.—Length: 90 cm. Diameter: 1 cm.        -   Internode distance.—5.5 cm. The above measurements are all            variable, depending on growing conditions in a season.        -   Stem pubescence present.—No.-   Prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—On main canes from base: Ordinary. Number per stem            length: 6 per 10 cm. On laterals from main canes: Ordinary.            Number per stem length: 6 per 10 cm.        -   Form.—Hooked downward and deep concave.        -   Length.—0.9 cm.        -   Color when young.—RHS 185B (grayed-purple group).        -   Color when mature.—Some RHS 178A (grayed-red group) with            tips of RHS 22B (yellow-orange group) and retaining some RHS            185B (grayed-purple group) throughout.-   Small prickles:    -   -   Quantity.—Main stalk: Few. Number per stem length 5-8 per            10 cm. Laterals: Few. Number per stem length: 5-8 per 10 cm.        -   Color.—When young: RHS 185B (grayed-purple group). When            mature: RHS 185B (grayed-purple group).-   Disease resistance:    -   -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera pannosa).—Resistant.        -   Downy mildew (peronospora species).—Resistant.        -   Blackspot (diplocarpon rosae).—Resistant.        -   Rust (phragmidium tuberculatum).—Resistant.-   Pest resistance: Not tested.-   Winter hardiness: Not tested.-   Growing conditions: Normal garden conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plantnamed ‘AUSRAVELOE’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.